Online Master of Social Work
Overview
Why choose the University of Nevada, Reno for Your online MSW?
The only online MSW program in the state of Nevada.
Our online Master of Social Work (MSW) is the state’s only program of its kind, which means you will:
- Have access to a curriculum specifically tailored to address the unique needs and challenges faced by communities in Nevada and beyond
- Collaborate with expert faculty who bring a wealth of experience and regional insight, offering a learning environment deeply rooted in real-world application and innovation
- Benefit from exclusive research opportunities that support meaningful social impact and allow you to make a difference where it matters most
Social Work Careers
The social work profession continues to evolve to meet the ongoing challenges of health care reform, an aging population, economic fluctuations, cultural differences and a variety of other social issues. Qualified professionals are in demand.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 7% growth rate for social workers from 2022 to 2032.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employs more than 10,000 professional social workers.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ranks social workers as the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers.
- The Red Cross estimates that more than 40% of its disaster mental health volunteers are professional social workers.
Choosing a Master of Social Work online that offers the advanced generalist practice curriculum provides training for the broadest range of opportunities and settings, including:
- Administration
- Aging/Gerontology
- Child Welfare
- Community Organization
- Corrections
- Disabilities Programs
- Employee Assistance
- Family Services
- Health Care
- Homeless Services
- Mental Health
- Politics
- Private Practice
- Public Welfare
- Research
- Schools
What Can I Do With a Master’s in Social Work?
What Does a School Social Worker Do?
Social Worker Jobs: Skills and Careers in this Crucial Field
6 MSW Jobs You Can Pursue
Master of Social Work Curriculum
The goals of the Master of Social Work build upon the profession’s core competencies as articulated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These abilities are integral to the program’s approach to advanced generalist social work practice and are promoted through a holistic, complex, and dynamic view of social work practice as evidenced by our curriculum.
When you enroll in the online program at the University of Nevada, Reno, you can gain competencies that allow you to:
- Demonstrate leadership and a vision for change
- Engage with others in ways that motivate and empower
- Analyze data and use research to inform practice decisions
- Navigate diverse, ambiguous and changing practice contexts
- Promote the well-being of individuals, families, groups and society
- Promote social and economic justice
Our Vision:
The University of Nevada, Reno’s vision is to educate and graduate the best-prepared, confident leaders for the state, national and global community; to be a nexus for research and creativity that focuses on vital issues of our time, and to serve as a catalyst for the betterment of our society.
Our Mission:
To educate, train and nurture competent, committed, compassionate and diverse social work leaders who advance the social justice mission of social work through their leadership in research, public policy, academics and clinical practice at local, national and global levels.
Students completing the foundation curriculum are not yet autonomous social work practitioners. However, they do have the skills, knowledge base and perspective to pursue further studies in the concentration curriculum.
Foundation Courses for Traditional Students
SW 610 Structural Oppression / 3 Credits
SW 611 Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior / 3 Credits
SW 620 Social Work Methods with Individuals / 3 Credits
SW 621 Social Work Methods with Groups / 3 Credits
SW 623 Social Work Methods with Organizations, Communities and Legislatures / 3 Credits
SW 624 Social Work Methods with Couples and Families / 3 Credits
SW 630 Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy / 3 Credits
SW 640 Elements of Evidence Informed Practice / 3 Credits
SW 680 Foundation Practicum I / 3 Credits
SW 681 Foundation Practicum II / 3 Credits
Concentration Courses for All Students
SW 710 Advanced Multi-Dimensional Assessment / 3 Credits
SW 720 Therapeutic Interventions with Individual / 3 Credits
SW 721 Intervention Approaches with Groups / 3 Credits
SW 723 Social Work Administration I / 3 Credits
SW 724 Therapeutic Interventions with Families / 3 Credits
SW 725 Social Work Administration II / 3 Credits
SW 741 Practice and Program Evaluation / 3 Credits
SW 780 Advanced Practicum I / 3 Credits
SW 781 Advanced Practicum II / 3 Credits
SW 793 Integrative Case-Based Seminar – Advanced Generalist Practice / 3 Credits
Online MSW Admission Requirements
Advanced Standing (BSW students)
- Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution
- Graduation from a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate program in social work (degree completed within the last seven years)*
- A course in statistics AND research methods is required
- Graduate school application fee of $60
- MSW application form with essays
- Two letters of recommendation
- A third recommendation from field instructor
- Resume
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 (“C” in each social work course)
- Documentation of outstanding performance in a BSW field experience
Traditional (Non-BSW Students)
- Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution (non-social work bachelor’s degree needs substantial preparation in the liberal arts, including the social sciences, humanities, research and human biology)
- A course in statistics AND research methods is required
- Graduate school application fee of $60
- MSW application form with essays
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75*
Master of Social Work Online Faculty
Dana Caballero, MSW, LCSW
William Feuerborn, DSW, MSW, LCSW
Weiyu Mao, Ph.D.
Yezenia Olivera, MSW
Denise Orpustan-Love, PhD, MSW
Sara Thompson-Kirby, MSW
Master of Social Work Resources
MSW Tuition: What to Expect
Social Work vs. Sociology: What’s The Difference?
The Differences Between a Social Worker and a Psychologist
Social Worker vs. Therapist
Types of Social Workers
Tuition & Fees
Tuition
- In-state, per credit hour: $385
- Total tuition: $23,100 for Traditional; $11,550 for Advanced Standing
- Out-of-state, per credit hour: $770
- Total Out-of-Sate tuition: $46,200 for Traditional; $23,100 for Advanced Standing
Fees
- Technology Fee = $9/CH
- Application: $60
- Online Learning Fee = $34/CH
- New Student Fee = $35
- Graduation = $95
- Books/Supplies: Students can expect to spend approximately $150 – $300 for textbooks and other course materials per semester.
